Spring 2021 | International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego
Dear Incoming Triton,

Welcome to UC San Diego!

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is here to support you as you begin your journey as a new student at UC San Diego and to help you navigate the ins and outs of your program as an international student. Please review important information below about mandatory trainings, orientation and ways to get involved at UC San Diego. 
Download Your 2021 Welcome Packet Today!
The ISPO Welcome Packet and Digital Swag Bag are now available! This packet covers important topics for international students both before and after arrival. Whether you are studying in-person or remotely this Fall, the Welcome Packet has checklists, tips, tricks, links and resources to help you every step of the way! The Packet includes:

  • ISPO Welcome Packet 2021 PDF Guide
  • A coupon for free surprise swag
  • 3 "Keep With You Always" images with important information to save on your phone
  • A fun UC San Diego Zoom background
  • A digital daily gratitude journal
  • A flyer about a fun ISPO Instagram AR filter designed especially for international students at UC San Diego!
Fall 2021 Housing & New Resources for Off-Campus Housing
For Fall 2021 on-campus housing, UC San Diego has adopted priority system due to space limitations. As of July 2021, every undergraduate bed on campus has been filled. Housing, Dining and Hospitality (HDH) typically receives cancellations throughout the summer and Fall Quarter. As spaces become available, they will be offered to students on the housing waitlist. For more information and to apply to be placed on a waitlist, click here.  

You can also find more information on COVID-19 protocols for on-campus housing on the Housing, Dining and Hospitality (HDH) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Website for Summer Session and Fall Quarter 2021. 

To better support our new and continuing international students, ISPO has updated the Housing Resource Page to include more options for finding off-campus housing in the San Diego area. While finding housing off-campus can be challenging, we encourage you to explore these resources to make your search easier.

Please be extra cautious when looking for off-campus housing as the number of scams through popular off-campus housing websites is growing. For more information on how to spot housing scams read the Avoid Housing Scams section of the ISPO housing resource page or visit isafety.ucsd.edu.  
Transportation and Getting to Campus
Thinking about the next step after arrival? There are many options available when it comes to getting to campus from the airport. If you arriving September 11-19, the Chinese Union at UC San Diego will host pick-up services from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego Airport (SAN). The sign-up sheet (in English and Chinese) and more information can be found here.

Other options include but are not limited to buses, shuttles, Amtrak trains, ride share (Uber and Lyft) and more. Please note that the price of each service is different and may be impacted by the demand, distance, and availability. For more information about all of these options, please visit the updated ISPO Transportation Page.
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?
You have been identified as an F-1 or J-1 International Student. To ensure you receive important regulatory information to maintain your immigration status while studying at UC San Diego, you have been automatically added to this newsletter to receive updates. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking 'Unsubscribe...." at the bottom of this email block. If you are NOT in F1 or J1 status and believe you have been subscribed in error, please email iStudents@ucsd.edu.